Brooks

[pantherfan4ever]

Brooks does so many things that nobody sees and the average basketball fan does not appreciate. He is always diving on the floor and is a more vocal leader on the floor than Jacobsen or Crawford.

His energy has been a huge part of the past two seasons and every team needs a player like Brooks to be successful!!

VERY good point! Brooks is, by far, the most vocal leader on the court! He was that way even as a freshman. We have a lot of hustlers on our team, but I dont know if anyone dives for more lose balls or takes more charges than Brooks does.

[pantherfan4ever]

Good debate with good insight should be healthy on the 'Nation' web site. For example, the person that came up with the idea of our backup QB this year becoming a second RB or slot WR on certain plays was a very good idea. Hope that the coaching staff looks at something like this. Very innovative and could be very productive. Would slow down the pass rush and give us many offensive options. I notice that no one supported him, though. For BB, just because a few of us think that Brooks is more of an off guard and does not have qualities needed for a point guard, doesn't mean we don't love Mac, Brooks, or the Panthers! It is no knock on Brooks--he might be best suited as Benny's replacement next year! He should still play over 24 minutes a game this year, too. At the same time, let competition reign. John Little deserves every chance to show he can be a starter. His defense to start games is needed--too many three-pointers are hit against us in opening minutes of games, coming mostly from the opponents' guard position. Oh well, doesn't pay to offer ideas here anymore. I'll delete the web site--really thought it would be a more positive thing to do and a good way to stay up with UNI sports. But, there are just too many closed-minded zealots here! Thought Panther fans would act differently--my mistake! I'll still be an avid Panther fan and go to as many games as I can although I'll have to go incognito for my own protection!

First of all, I dont think anything "bad" has been said on either side of this debate. they are all opinions and that is what makes forums great (as long as things stay constructive).

I dont think anyone would disagree with you that Brooks is more of an off guard and that he lacks some things that true point guards have... However, No one is fighting.. we are merely debating... no one is getting mad at you for your position, we merely are stating why we disagree.. if you want to express your opinions about changing things, you cant expect everyone to step up and agree with you.... I agree with a lot of points made about Brooks, but I disagree with a lot too. We aren't closed minded for disagreeing with you, we just have a difference of opinion. Do we have to agree with you in order to be "open-minded"?

[pantherfan4ever]

solid first post pantherfan4ever ... keep them coming!

Thanks B.True

[Sex Panther...]

I myself am very interested to see if Brooks (if given the opportunity) can become a consistent scorer at this level. I think he can. Let's not forget he has had some big games in a Panther uniform. Hypothetically: Lets say we clone him and put him at the 2 guard on this years team and his clone also plays point. I feel he'd be getting around 7-11 shots per game and shooting a nice %. Put me down as going on record that Rima is going to be dropping a lot of "KABOOMS" following McKowen shots next year. It is nice to see that the majority of the posters on here get what Brooks brings to this team.

[Sex Panther...]

Good debate with good insight should be healthy on the 'Nation' web site. For example, the person that came up with the idea of our backup QB this year becoming a second RB or slot WR on certain plays was a very good idea. Hope that the coaching staff looks at something like this. Very innovative and could be very productive. Would slow down the pass rush and give us many offensive options. I notice that no one supported him, though. For BB, just because a few of us think that Brooks is more of an off guard and does not have qualities needed for a point guard, doesn't mean we don't love Mac, Brooks, or the Panthers! It is no knock on Brooks--he might be best suited as Benny's replacement next year! He should still play over 24 minutes a game this year, too. At the same time, let competition reign. John Little deserves every chance to show he can be a starter. His defense to start games is needed--too many three-pointers are hit against us in opening minutes of games, coming mostly from the opponents' guard position. Oh well, doesn't pay to offer ideas here anymore. I'll delete the web site--really thought it would be a more positive thing to do and a good way to stay up with UNI sports. But, there are just too many closed-minded zealots here! Thought Panther fans would act differently--my mistake! I'll still be an avid Panther fan and go to as many games as I can although I'll have to go incognito for my own protection!

Close minded zealots? Wow

If you read through this thread I'll think you'll find some excellent analysis of why the Panthers are the team that they are by some true fans of the program.

I'll admit that I am more of a Brooks apologist than most, but I also don't think I am too far off the mark if at all in my comments. You threw out an opinion and some of us disagreed with it and use solid reasoning to explain why...also only opinions. Oh well, I'm off to my daily mass at the "Church of Brooks"

[oldcat]

Rick...........it doesn't matter what us closed minded folk say here..........it's what coach decides that matters.

[Matt Trump]

Oh well, doesn't pay to offer ideas here anymore. I'll delete the web site--really thought it would be a more positive thing to do and a good way to stay up with UNI sports. But, there are just too many closed-minded zealots here! Thought Panther fans would act differently--my mistake! I'll still be an avid Panther fan and go to as many games as I can although I'll have to go incognito for my own protection!

I think it is a pretty open mind here. Some boards will delete entire threads for stuff that is not 100% for their school.

There have been a fair amount of people that have agreed on this subject in both ways. This is a public messageboard and at this time in UNI Athletics, Panther fans have been notorious for undying support for their players and coaches while they are part of this school.

[UNIAlum95]

Rick the only thing I don't see is why you think JLit can run the point better than Brooks. If you will note that when JLit is in the game, 90% of the time Crawford or Benny run the point. JLit does not bring the ball up the court. So if you sit Brooks, are you asking Benny or Erik to run the point? I love John's presence on the court, but the best combination is currently starting for the Panthers...

[Pantherfan04]

I'm not on here bashing Brooks or even UNI. I support and love both...11-2 start......unbelievable. What I'm saying is as we get into the MVC we will need Brooks to step up his game. You are right, he knows the offense great, but he needs to not pass on open looks. Having the oponent leave him open on offense puts more pressure on Jacobson, Crawford, Stout, and Coleman. The other team now has one guy who can roam around and cause problems, but if Brooks proves that he will take the open shot and knock it down will really open up the offense. I also feel that he will need to continue his Turnover to Assist Ratio (he has done a lot better the last few games) but not even having a 2-1 ratio is decent, but not good. I think Brooks provides a lot to this team and I root for his sucess, but we will really need his game to step up down the stretch and in the MVC and NCAA tourny!!!!

[pantherfan4ever]

I'm not on here bashing Brooks or even UNI. I support and love both...11-2 start......unbelievable. What I'm saying is as we get into the MVC we will need Brooks to step up his game. You are right, he knows the offense great, but he needs to not pass on open looks. Having the oponent leave him open on offense puts more pressure on Jacobson, Crawford, Stout, and Coleman. The other team now has one guy who can roam around and cause problems, but if Brooks proves that he will take the open shot and knock it down will really open up the offense. I also feel that he will need to continue his Turnover to Assist Ratio (he has done a lot better the last few games) but not even having a 2-1 ratio is decent, but not good. I think Brooks provides a lot to this team and I root for his sucess, but we will really need his game to step up down the stretch and in the MVC and NCAA tourny!!!!

I agree, he needs to step up along with all of our vets. I totally agree. From what I have heard, I think he is encouraged to pass on some open shots to work the ball around for more open shots for benny, crawford and our posts. Just seems to be the way Mac uses him usually. I would like to see mac give him more of a green light, but I'm sure there are reasons as for the turnover ratio, If players got an assist or half of an assist (like in hockey), i think you would find that brooks would have a ton of assists in this offense.. PG's don't typically get the assists in Mac's offense. they usually go to the SG or even the SF. it isnt really an offense that the PG brings it up, passes and the guy shoots.. the Panthers are great at running plays all the way through until they get a shot they like or that Mac wants them to get.. so I am affraid any point will probably have to settle for an "average" assist to turn over ratio.

again, i totally agree that our juniors and seniors really need to step up in a VERY tough Valley Conference!!!

[ceaser150]

7 pts, 6 rb, and only 2 TO in 38 minutes at Wichita St. Is that enough to silence the critics for awhile?

[oldcat]

I thought he had an excellent game last night. Don't forget his contribution on defense.

[Sex Panther...]

7 pts, 6 rb, and only 2 TO in 38 minutes at Wichita St. Is that enough to silence the critics for awhile?

I doubt it

Another solid game out of Brooks. Ran the point exactly the way this team needs and did a great job of collapsing on the defensive end. By the way J Lit got 30 minutes in this game as well so the argument concerning Brooks needing to sit so Little gets minutes continues to make no sense.

If you want to argue that because Brooks is shooting a low percentage that Josten or Williams should get more minutes it would at least have some logic to it. You'd be wrong...but at least the argument would make sense. Little and Brooks are both going to continue to get 25-35 minutes a game with the coaches plugging them in where needed...and both will be productive. We are 13-2 can we please put this discussion to bed?

...actually I'm kind of enjoying it to be honest

[ejacobson]

The one thing Brooks needs to learn how to do to be a good point guard in my opinion is to learn how to break a press. Every time we play a team with a tough press Ben and/or Crawford has to bring the ball to the half court then dish to Brooks, then start the O. If Brooks had the confidence/skills to break the full court press he would be a great point guard. But he hasn't come all the way yet. He'll get there though, as will Mike Williams and Jared Jostens, but all will come in due time.

Brooks played well last night that is for sure, the whole team played a great game.

Thats my only thought on this subject.

[CF Panther]

The one thing Brooks needs to learn how to do to be a good point guard in my opinion is to learn how to break a press. Every time we play a team with a tough press Ben and/or Crawford has to bring the ball to the half court then dish to Brooks, then start the O. If Brooks had the confidence/skills to break the full court press he would be a great point guard. But he hasn't come all the way yet. He'll get there though, as will Mike Williams and Jared Jostens, but all will come in due time.

Brooks played well last night that is for sure, the whole team played a great game.

Thats my only thought on this subject.

I've noticed that as well. McKowen played well overall last night though. He went to the hole, and even took an open 3. It's a start...